#12 - Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis)

Pine family, Pinaceae

Native to the Caucasus Mountains and Asia Minor, the Oriental Spruce nevertheless grows extremely well in our area. Its ¼ to ½-inch long needles are deep green, and the dense, compact pyramidal tree form can reach 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Pull off a needle and you'll find a peg-like projection remaining on the twig.